who’s to say
and who is honored
when something less
than love comes due –
when something less than love
is reason

for thoughts we speak
and breath we choose

who’s to say
and who will conquer
without the sword that judgment raised
who will die the death
of virgins
for every fault succumb to praise

I cannot say
I will not bargain –
I lean on this – with tender trust
that only one
shall ease my sorrow
when love (at last)
is come
for us